The Indianapolis Colts addressed a top need in a recent 2026 NFL draft from ESPN.
Matt Miller put together a two-round projection, which includes the Colts, unlike the many one-round mocks that are out there right now. As we know, the Colts do not own their first-round pick in this year’s draft — or next — after trading for Sauce Gardner.
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That means it won’t be until pick No. 47 overall in the second round that the Colts make their first pick.
So who did the Colts take in this latest mock? R Mason Thomas, an edge rusher from Oklahoma.
“The Colts could go defensive tackle here, but they need impact players across the defensive front,” Miller wrote. “Thomas is a sudden, rocked-up pressure player on the edge at 6-foot-2 and 249 pounds with elite quickness.”
Listed at 6-2 -249 pounds, Thomas has played 1,307 career defensive snaps, 901 of which have come over the last two seasons.
During that span, Thomas has logged 63 quarterback pressures and 15 sacks. Among all defensive ends in 2025, Thomas ranked 23rd in pass rush win rate, and he was 41st in PFF’s run defense grade.
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Defensive end needs to be a top priority because the Colts need more depth, but also more consistent pass rush juice around Laiatu Latu.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Colts address pass rush in recent mock